Permian Fossils

Paleontology and geology

The Permian began with broad river floodplains lying north of a coastline that ran east-west across part of southern New Mexico (at about the latitude of Las Cruces). Drier climates followed, and dune fields appeared, but were eventually replaced by shallow, salty seas. More normal marine conditions returned during the middle of the Permian and a huge reef began to develop at El Capitan in southeastern New Mexico. Brachiopods, clams, and ammonites are typical marine fossils from this time period. This map indicates an extensive exposure of Permian rocks in the south-central portion of the state with smaller exposures to the west.

Links to more on the Permian in New Mexico

Paleogeography of the Southwestern U.S.: The paleogeography of the southwestern U.S. from 1.8 billion years ago to 10 million years ago. Text and images by Dr. Ron Blakey from Northern Arizona University.